IRENE

Making my way to the school's garden often referred to as love garden by the students, I took gentle strides. Everyone I passed by turned to look at me. Perks of being so famous.

It was a Tuesday and there wasn't going to be an assembly so I made my way to the garden where I would meet my friends. "Hey guys!" I said to them as I got to where they were. They took turns in giving me a hug and also returning my pleasantries.

I didn't see Theodore and I was relieved but I also couldn't help but wonder why he was absent. Maybe he left the school because of me.

You really think he'll leave the school because of your nasty behavior? My stupid subconscious mocked and I rolled my eyes.

And as though listening to my thought, Osaze spoke up. "Where is Theodore?" She asked no one in particular. "I haven't seen him this morning." "Oh, he told me he'll be a little late today." Zion said.

"Guess who just hit 900k followers on IG!" Olaedo squealed all smiles.

"Aww." I cooed and I went over to her and pulled her into a hug. Kiki just shook her head and returned to a novel she had on her laps. Desmond and Zion also gave her big hugs and Osaze didn't even look up from her laptop which was in front of her. She was seated on the soft grass. Thankfully, it wasn't wet because it didn't rain.

TY stood at the end smiling at Ola. Ola liked TY and I had a feeling he felt the same but they were just to shy to tell each other. "TY won't you congratulate her?" I asked arching a brow. He just smiled, walked up to her and pulled her into a hug and gosh I couldn't help but squeal. He whispered something to her ear. Probably saying congratulations.

I giggled at how flushed Ola looked. Shaking my head and looking away from the duo. My eyes landed on Desmond who had a scowl on his face.

I moved to where he stood. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked in the softest voice ever. Desmond was one of the most important persons in my life and I cared about him a lot. He looked away from his phone and his gaze landed on me. In a split second, he handed his phone over to me and my eyes landed on the screen.

My brows were etched as I read the article.

Award winning model and actor, Irene Coker and Desmond Ukeme are rumored to be in a relationship. Below are a few photos that will keep you on your toes.

Beneath the writeup was several photos of Desmond and I. The one we took at AMVCA, and at Wizkid's birthday and so many others.

I rolled my eyes and handed the phone back to Desmond. "Just ignore them. It's not the first time anyway." I shrugged and Desmond took a seat on the concrete bench opposite the one Ola and Kiki were seated in.

"I know. But I don't think Mide will like to see this."

Kiki looked up from her novel. "Your girlfriend is cool. She knows you two are not a couple so you have nothing to worry about." she said and returned her gaze to the book.

"Yes she knows but I don't like the idea of this rumour going round."

"It's the impression you two give." Osaze said her gaze still on her laptop as she typed. "To the outside world, you two look like two people deeply in love but as your friends, we know that you two are just friends."

"Osaze do something to help them abeg and stop giving them lectures." Ola said while she pouted to take a photo.

Tell her!

Osaze looked up from her laptop.

Finally!!!

"I'll handle it don't worry." she said. "Oshey Kenny the blogger!" Olaedo hyped and Osaze just shot her a glare that said Shut- the -crack - up! She looked around to see if anyone overheard what Ola said. She sighed in relief when she didn't sight anyone close by.

The bell for the first period went off and we got up and made our way to our various classes. Kiki and I strolled, her head in her book.

                              •••••

Seated in my noisy classroom, I was trying to finish an assignment I should have done but because of what went down between my mum and I the previous night, I couldn't.

Putting the last full stop to end my essay, I noticed that the class was strangely quiet. I looked up and saw the new kid whom I had come to dislike standing by the door with his bag pack slung on a shoulder. I could hear murmurs and that just infuriated me.

Again with the attention.

His gaze landed on me and he held my gaze for a little longer before looking away. His look impassive. I watch him in shock as he walked to his seat at the other end.

What....

The....

Hell...!!!

No one looked away from me. I looked away. It was my thing. At that moment, there was only one thing I wanted to do and that is to walk up to him and give him a piece of my mind.

Just as I was about to get up, the English Language teacher Miss Rosie walked into the class. What a killjoy!

THEODORE

I was seated in a sleek office chair facing Kazeem. My Parents made an appointment with him for me. I had informed Zion earlier that I wouldn't arrive school on time.

"Theodore!" He announced twirling in his chair. "It's been like nine months. You didn't even bother to pay me a visit." he pouted causing a small smile to form on my lips.

"Actually, It has been thirteen months." I corrected him. "It's been so long. Look how grown you are." he said stroking his chin playfully. "How is Tony?" He asked referring to my immediate older brother who happened to be his age mate. "He's good." I responded.

He nodded his head curtly and smiled. "So, what brought you here?" he asked picking up his pen. "I had one of those nightmares."

He made a small sound and scribbled something in his journal. "What caused it? Because if I'm correct, you haven't had one since you came here last."

"I don't know what caused it." I said plainly paying attention to an artifact on his desk.

"Do you come in contact with anything that could trigger it? Like a photo?" I shook my head before voicing out "No."

"Did anyone perhaps say anything that reminded you of the incident?"

"No."

"How about watching people do the things that remind you of that day?"he asked again.

"No, I don't think—" I paused and I knew he noticed. As my therapist, he was very observant and attentive but most of all, he was very jovial and friendly.

"I was at a pool yesterday. Could that be the cause?" I lifted my gaze to rest on my twenty seven years old therapist. "It could be. You know the pool could have triggered the crisis. As much as I think you should try to move on, I'm here to make sure you do it the right way. I'm very sure you don't want to relive the experience again. Take your time Theodore. Let me know if it repeats itself again"

"By the way, which pool were you at? Your dad opened the pool at your house?" He asked. "No, it's the pool at school."

His eyes widened. "You've returned to school and you didn't tell me a thing." he said feigning annoyance. "I changed schools." I said to him glancing up at a portrait of him on the wall. "It's high time though. Home school is sick." I nodded my head at his words.

Attending home school for almost a session wasn't in anyway palatable. "What took you to the pool at your school though?" He asked resting his hands on the arm rest of his chair.

I recalled the activities of the previous day and shook my head. "I went to speak to this girl and—"

"There already is a girl!" Kazeem literally screeched. "You let your guard down for a girl, interesting." he said a smirk playing across his face. "Tell me about her."

I sighed. "Look, it's not what you think, I had to speak to her about her behavior." "What about her behavior?" He asked opening his drawer and bringing out two chocolate bars, he threw one to me which I caught. "Thank you." I said. "She's too full of herself."

He made a few hmps and I opened my chocolate bar. "It doesn't justify the fact that you let your guard down for her. It means you like her."

I scoffed. "No I don't, she's not my type. Too arrogant, topnotch drama queen and worst of all an attention seeker."

His brows creased."It's not nice to judge people Theodore." I sighed "I don't judge, you of all people should know that. I only observe."

He rolled his eyes. "So you mean she doesn't have any good qualities?"
"I didn't say that." "Great so tell me the good qualities she possess."

"Well, I just met her so I won't know." I shrugged taking the last piece of my chocolate in my mouth. "Just tell me the one you have noticed."

"She's good looking." I said as I stood up a bit and tossed the chocolate wrap in a small bin. Kazeem's smile widened. "Rate her. On a scale of one to ten."

I chuckled "You'll have to do that yourself "
"You have her photo!" Kazeem stated in a high pitched tone. "You're really serious about her." I rolled my eyes at his comment. I wasn't sure if he was teasing or not. "I don't. Check it up online. Irene Coker."

I watched as he brought out his phone from his pocket and typed on it for a while. A low whistle escaped his lips and I smiled. "She's a ten out of ten." he said. I shook my head "Your love for women will be the death of you."

"Unfortunately this damsel is taken. I have seen her photos severally. She's a celebrity and my niece is obsessed with her. I just didn't know her name. Great choice Theodore."

"For the umpteenth time Kazeem, I'm not interested in her." "Not yet" he said getting up and taking off his jacket. I just decided to give up. It was no point talking to him.

I glanced at the wall clock in the office and sighed. "I'll be late." I muttered.
"You can leave. We are done. Just make sure you stay from anything that reminds you of the incident and if you notice something else, notify me." I nodded, gave him a brief hug and walked to the door. "Oh and—" I paused at the door to hear him out.

"Send my regards to the girl." I shook my head and walked out of the office and to the parking lot. My designated driver was already waiting and as soon as I got there, we left for my school. Claret high school.

At 8:15 on the dot, I was standing right in front of my class. I noticed the class was silent and I just scanned the class randomly. My eyes met that of Irene and I noticed the deadly glare she shot my way.

Again with the drama!

I looked away from her with a bored expression on my face. I rushed to school only to realize that the first period hadn't even begun! I strolled to my seat and sat down. I felt eyes boring holes into my body at all sides but I couldn't care less. I was the new kid anyway.

As soon as I took out my note from my bag, the English teacher walked in. Way to go!

______________________________________

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